Meat-Eating Falls to Lowest Levels in 3 Decades

The USDA’s latest figures show that Americans are continuing to turn away from meat. Meat consumption reached a high of 201.5 pounds per capita in 2004 but has dropped steadily since then, reaching 181.5 pounds in 2012, the latest year for which figures are available. The last time meat intake was at this level was 1983. These figures show that the average American is consuming 20 pounds less meat each year, compared to a decade ago.

In the post-World-War-II era, meat intake rose steadily. It began to decline a decade ago in the face of concerns about health, animal welfare, and the environment, as well as the ready availability of healthier foods.

Skipping meat has many advantages. People who avoid meat are thinner than meat-eaters. In a 2009 study published by the American Diabetes Association, meat-eaters had an average body mass index (BMI) of 28.8, well above 25.0, the upper limit for a healthful weight. But people who avoided animal products had an average BMI of 23.6. Avoiding meat also cuts the risk of diabetes, cancer, and heart disease and improves blood pressure.

Thanks for this information and all the wonderful comments too. i just started the healthy living lifestyle on July 1st 2014 and am hoping to use my new lifestyle as a testimony to my family and friends to change from animal to plant based protein.watch out for me.

Just thought you like to know that I recently learned that Barry who has been delivering our newspapers has very bad type 2 diabetes. He had to stop delivering our papers. Well, I ordered him your book on reversing diabetes, Dr. Fuhrman's book on reversing diabetes and the DVD Forks Over Knives. I gave him this little "package" and he took it home to look at.
Well---I saw him the other day and he's ALREADY LOST 20 POUNDS!! He says he hasn't felt this good in years. He couldn't thank me enough. And he's bringing these books to his doctor so he can begin to get his medications reduced. I have also ordered him The Starch Solution which I will give him once it gets here. I told Barry that if he continues to follow a plant based diet he will lose his diabetes, and get healthy. He says he's never had this much energy before. Just thought you'd like to know this. Sure made me feel good just passing out 2 books and a DVD.